<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., for the quarterly
periods ended September 7, 1998 and September 8, 1997, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1998             DEC-29-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-30-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-07-1998             SEP-08-1997
<CASH>                                           3,687                   3,721
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,542<F1>               2,427<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                      2,045                   2,045
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                12,562                  16,724
<PP&E>                                         129,715                 132,180
<DEPRECIATION>                                  48,010                  42,216
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 106,039                 121,300
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           44,891                  31,234
<BONDS>                                          2,453                  30,136
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            73                      70
<OTHER-SE>                                      49,031                  51,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   106,039                 121,300
<SALES>                                         99,100                  95,481
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               104,414                 100,603
<CGS>                                           90,968                  90,141
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  102,095                 102,623
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (220)                   (298)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   123                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,944                   6,666
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,282)                 (8,388)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,282)                 (8,388)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,282)                 (8,388)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.02)                  (0.15)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.02)                  (0.15)
<FN>
<F1>Receivables consist of --
Accounts Receivable - net       $1,017     $1,810
Notes Receivable                   525        617
                                ------     ------
Total                           $1,542     $2,427
                                ======     ======
</FN>
        

</TABLE>